They all call me Great Master

Doom is intangible, formless.

Death shadows every step.

Thump, thump thump!

The hearts of the Xi Jin brothers began to beat violently, gradually synchronizing their rhythms—Resonance, using their hearts as the foundation to invoke "Spirituality" through Ritual, unifying as one entity and lending their strength to a single person.

This unique technique of the "Pirate's Blood" had been utilized by the Xi Jin brothers countless times already.

Even with their eyes closed, they could complete everything within a breath.

However, just as they were about to finish, the eldest of the Xi Jin brothers subconsciously glanced at Arthur.

Looking at Arthur's calm demeanor and tranquil gaze.

For some reason, the eldest of the brothers felt a sudden pang in his heart.

Does he know we're using "Resonance"?

Then why isn't he taking precautions?

Could it be that he is confident his "Physique" surpasses that of the three of us combined?

Although the eldest Xi Jin brother admitted to himself that he had underestimated his opponent, he did not believe that Arthur's "Physique" could surpass the combined total of the three brothers.

Nor could it be possible that it was double their combined total.

Meaning...

The use of "Resonance" was exactly what their opponent wanted to see.

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The opponent had prepared a strategy specifically targeting their "Resonance."

This thought caused the eldest Xi Jin brother's heart to skip a beat.

Suddenly, the previously unified heartbeats developed interference.

The remaining two Xi Jin brothers didn't understand why their elder brother made such a mistake, but they immediately adjusted their heartbeats, aiming to sync them once again with their brother's.

Similarly, the eldest Xi Jin brother also realized his mistake.

He did not know what sort of plan Arthur had.

But once "Resonance" begins, it's like an arrow on the bowstring, it must be launched.

Immediately, the eldest Xi Jin brother quickly adjusted his heartbeat, trying to match the rhythm of his two younger brothers.

But just when the two brothers instinctively coordinated with their elder, intending to synchronize with the current rhythm.

There was another miscalculation.

The Xi Jin brothers panicked.

They quickly tried to adjust again.

But,

It was wrong again.

Three strikes and you're out.

The next moment—

Thump thump thump!

Bang!

The sound of their heartbeats grew louder, like the bursting sound itself.

Thud, thud, thud.

Three bodies, dressed in suits and leather shoes, fell to the ground simultaneously.

Arthur, however, didn't even spare them a glance, merely slowly raising his gloved hand.

And it was at this moment that the young 'Servant' standing behind Little Lisop suddenly made his move.

Clang!

The Longsword unsheathed, the young Swordsman's face, ice-cold, was filled with intense murderous intent.

Kill Arthur Kredos!

This was, after all, one of his most important missions on this journey.

And the other?

Of course, it was becoming the Champion of the Swordsmanship Competition.

Obtaining a 'Knight' title from the Earl of South Los would help stabilize that great man's schemes in South Los once again.

Perhaps, it could even take things to the next level.

That was what he really wanted to do.

And to become a 'Servant' for Little Lisop?

It was nothing more than a temporary expedient.

How could the Lisop Family possibly employ him?

He was loyal to that great man from the very beginning to the end.

Thinking of the praise from that great man after he killed Arthur Kredos and became the Champion of the Swordsmanship Competition, receiving the 'Knight' title.

The young Swordsman's blade became even faster.

On the Swordsman's blade, a chorus of bird calls could be heard.

Arthur immediately recognized that the opponent was using the White Bird Sword Technique!

Not the inferior version he had imitated, but the simplified "White Bird Sword Technique" that the Duke of the Inner Bay had adapted for the Seven Years' War!

Although it was far from the original, the simplified version already possessed a third of the true "White Bird Sword Technique's" grace.

Hum hum hum!

Among the fine chirp-like sounds, the young Swordsman's blade moved even faster.

The killing intent hidden within the sword made Marinda in the Bell Tower clench her fists.

Previously, this lady could not confirm the identity of the individual.

But as he drew his sword, the lady immediately knew the opponent's identity—a Diehard, selected by the Duke of the Inner Bay from the army and secretly trained as an elite.

Unlike the overt Lion Guard.

These elites were more akin to a Hidden Guard.

Specially crafted to deal with certain matters for the Old Lion that weren't suitable for public attention.

'Damn bastard!'

Marinda's gaze swept over the Old Lion's Hidden Guard, her eyes fixated on Little Lisop—the son of a lord displayed considerable speed.

"Stop! Stop right now!

I command you to stop immediately!

This isn't in line with the contract I signed!"

Little Lisop shouted loudly.

He appeared completely taken aback by the unfolding events.

However, Marinda knew that while the surprise might be genuine, his current actions were merely to extricate himself from the situation.

He was supposed to act ignorant of the young swordsman's identity, as if he himself had been deceived.

But in reality?

He must have already been in cahoots with the Grand Duke.

No!

More accurately, it was his father who had been in cahoots with the Grand Duke.

'Damn "noble rules," they're so binding!'

Marinda cursed inwardly, her brow slightly furrowing as she pondered how she could maximize her benefits.

As for Arthur?

This lady wasn't worried at all.

How could 'Cat Faction. Hei' possibly fail to deal with a Hidden Guard of the Old Lion?

But to others unaware of the truth, it seemed more likely that the Old Lion's Hidden Guard who struck suddenly would win.

Especially the Hidden Guard himself was of this belief.

He had keen intuition!

As Arthur put on his gloves again, he could sense that dreadful aura dissipating.

Clearly maintaining such a posture or using such secret techniques for long with his injuries was impossible for Arthur.

Moreover, sustaining this posture or using these techniques was likely to aggravate Arthur's injuries.

This was why he drew his sword so decisively.

He was already injured, and now more severely so—this was an opportunity he had no reason to relinquish—

Buzz buzz buzz!

The sound of bird song grew louder, the sword moved faster, and the murderous intent on the young swordsman's face became almost tangible.

His heart was cold.

His sword was cold.

And then...

He was frozen solid.

Originating from the Evil Spirit Orb, the Cold instantly turned the young swordsman into an ice sculpture.

The ice sculpture, maintaining a charging posture, fell straight to the ground.

Crack!

Along with the body, it shattered into crystals of ice that sparkled brilliantly and beautifully under the evening sun.

But the next moment, the sunlight was obscured.

The ice crystals were enveloped in Shadows.

It was Arthur.

Arthur stepped onto the ice crystals, disregarding their composition, he continued forward.

Walking over corpses?

Who wasn't advancing over the bodies of their enemies?

Arthur had not even the slightest ripple in his heart.

It was not until then that the onlookers realized Arthur had never stopped his advance, maintaining his unique cadence throughout.@@novelbin@@

Hiss!

'Whale Slaying Sword' Kangsion.

'Storm Sword' Deljo.

Both drew in a cold breath instinctively, stepping back in an effort to be less conspicuous.

'Lord Ernest,' 'Lord Dibwa,' and 'Lord Bass,' the lords' relatives, stared dumbfounded at the scene.

This was their opponent?

What a joke!

We'd be dead if we went up there!

The three noble scions inwardly wailed.

But the onlookers who were just there to observe and not compete had fewer reservations; they reassessed the rapidly rising 'Spirit Medium' with looks of amazement.

Afterward, they stepped aside slightly, giving clear access to the path leading under the Bell Tower.

Under everyone's gaze, Arthur stepped forward. Upon reaching the base of the Bell Tower, he looked at Freeman and Amiel and said softly—

"Arthur Kredos, registering."

As his words fell, the Bell Tower immediately rang out with a loud resonance.

No more, no less, precisely five tolls.

Not too early, not too late, just at five o'clock.